Highway Patrol copes with hit-and-run cold cases

By CHRISTOPHER THOMAS - Daily News Staff

Published: Monday, March 3, 2014 at 12:08 PM.

N.C. Highway Patrol is asking the public’s help on solving two fatal hit-and-run cases.

On New Year’s Eve 2009, Caroline Cromer, 18, of Richlands was walking north on U.S. 17 near Holly Ridge when a vehicle struck her and fled the scene. She was pronounced dead at the scene and, according to Sgt. R.E. Dudley, the driver left almost no evidence at the scene.

“There was no debris left at the scene,” Dudley said. “There’s almost nothing for us to go on, which makes it all the more difficult. We’ve had leads and we follow up on all of them, but none of them have come through yet.”

Dudley said the case has been a difficult one, not only due to the lack of evidence but because of the wreck’s location. The wreck was in an remote area and witnesses have been limited.

Highway Patrol also is investigating the death of Earl Dupey, 30, of Hubert who was killed while trying to cross N.C. 24. While investigating, officials found a silver mirror at the scene they believe belongs to the vehicle that struck Dupey on New Year’s Eve 2013. The mirror was sent to SBI and General Motors. The vehicle in question has been narrowed down to a Chevy made between 2001 and 2005.

“It isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing,” Dudley said. “It at least lets us narrow the car down and gives us a make and model.”

According to Dudley, these hit-and-run cases are a cautionary tale for motorists to keep a sharper eye for pedestrians, but also for pedestrians to remember the rules of the road.

N.C. Highway Patrol is asking the public’s help on solving two fatal hit-and-run cases.

On New Year’s Eve 2009, Caroline Cromer, 18, of Richlands was walking north on U.S. 17 near Holly Ridge when a vehicle struck her and fled the scene. She was pronounced dead at the scene and, according to Sgt. R.E. Dudley, the driver left almost no evidence at the scene.

“There was no debris left at the scene,” Dudley said. “There’s almost nothing for us to go on, which makes it all the more difficult. We’ve had leads and we follow up on all of them, but none of them have come through yet.”

Dudley said the case has been a difficult one, not only due to the lack of evidence but because of the wreck’s location. The wreck was in an remote area and witnesses have been limited.

Highway Patrol also is investigating the death of Earl Dupey, 30, of Hubert who was killed while trying to cross N.C. 24. While investigating, officials found a silver mirror at the scene they believe belongs to the vehicle that struck Dupey on New Year’s Eve 2013. The mirror was sent to SBI and General Motors. The vehicle in question has been narrowed down to a Chevy made between 2001 and 2005.

“It isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing,” Dudley said. “It at least lets us narrow the car down and gives us a make and model.”

According to Dudley, these hit-and-run cases are a cautionary tale for motorists to keep a sharper eye for pedestrians, but also for pedestrians to remember the rules of the road.

According to North Carolina law, pedestrians not walking in a designated crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the road.

“A lot of these hit-and-runs happen when they’re trying to cross the road and don’t yield to cars on the highway,” Dudley said.

According to Dudley, cases such as Dupey’s and Cromer’s are revisited twice a year until suspects are apprehended. Though Dudley said troopers put their “best effort” into each case, he said help from the community is invaluable.

“If there’s any info they have on either case, we urge and encourage them to call us,” Dudley said. “Normally, we catch a lucky break and someone will see a car that resembles the one mentioned in the news or by Crime Stoppers. That’s a major break. People can always remain anonymous, especially if they know the suspect.”

Dupey’s sister, Sabrina, said she and her family are “holding up,” but feeling anxious for closure over the death of her brother. Much of her frustration, she said, is focused toward the driver who hit her brother that night and still has not come forward to take responsibility.

“I just want someone to come forward,” Dupey said. “It’s aggravating when you don’t know who took someone you love from you. We’re also anxious because we haven’t heard much from the troopers, but I know they’re doing the best they can. They can only do what they can do.”

Sabrina Dupey was across the street from her brother when he was hit, but she said she didn’t see the car that hit her brother due to the shock of experience and the lack of light on the road.

Members of Cromer’s family were not immediately available for comment.

Christopher Thomas is a staff writer for the Daily News. To contact him, send an e-mail to christopher.thomas@jdnews.com.